Build your future in tech
Design your dream career in tech. Join Next Chapter’s online Circle community for guidance, mentorship, and industry connections.
Ignite Your Tech Career
Embrace the opportunity to transform your future with Next Chapter's Apprenticeship Program. Join our community to access cutting-edge training, professional coaching, and a supportive network that will empower you to launch a rewarding career in the tech industry.
Our apprenticeship program
Our Apprenticeship Program provides a comprehensive pathway to a thriving tech career, combining immersive training with hands-on work experience. Through this unique approach, we equip our apprentices with the necessary skills, mentorship, and support to excel in the dynamic technology sector and make lasting positive impacts on their lives and communities.
Join our learning community on Circle
Interested in beginning your coding journey? Join us on Circle to learn more about our program, attend professional development workshops, and complete technical coursework to help you get started.
Prep for the technical assessment
Utilizing our online curriculum, develop the technical skills necessary to sign up for our technical assessment.
Complete our technical assessment and application
To evaluate a candidate's technical knowledge and skills necessary to be successful in a software engineering bootcamp and apprenticeship, we use an assessment. Once you have completed this assessment, you will gain access to our application and be one step closer to starting an exciting career in software engineering.
Take part in an immersive learning experience
After successfully being interviewed and selected, get ready for an immersive coding experience with one of our partner bootcamps. This is where you will learn all the skills needed to thrive in your new software engineering career.
Start your apprenticeship with one of our partners
We partner with over 15 companies to provide paid apprenticeships. You’ll receive support from our team to ensure you are well positioned for a successful career in tech.
Receive career services and professional development
We believe there is more than one way to start a career in tech. Next Chapter offers freelancing opportunities, workshops, and 1:1 mentorship to equip candidates for a traditional job search.
Working in tech
Considering a career in tech? These FAQs provide valuable insights on job opportunities, industry trends, and average pay to help you make an informed decision.
Working in tech is a thrilling and rewarding experience, as it offers endless opportunities for innovation, creativity, and problem-solving. With technology constantly evolving, there is always something new to learn and exciting projects to work on, making it a dynamic and fast-paced industry that never gets boring.
Front-end development involves designing and building the user interface and user experience of a website or application, using tools like HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. Back-end development, on the other hand, involves developing and maintaining the server-side of an application, including its logic, database, and API. Full-stack development combines both front-end and back-end development, allowing developers to work on all aspects of an application, from its user interface to its server-side functionality.
The average pay for a software engineer can vary depending on factors such as experience, location, industry, and specific job role. However, according to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median pay for a software developer in the United States in 2020 was $110,140 per year, or $52.94 per hour. It's worth noting that this figure can range widely, with some software engineers earning well over $200,000 per year depending on their level of expertise and the industry they work in.
A day in the life of a software engineer typically involves writing and testing code, collaborating with colleagues, and staying up-to-date with the latest industry developments. They may spend time troubleshooting issues, participating in code reviews, and researching new technologies, working in a dynamic and fast-paced environment that requires a blend of creativity and analytical thinking. Each day presents new challenges and opportunities to make a positive impact through cutting-edge innovation.
The path to becoming a software engineer is more diverse than ever, with many non-traditional educational pathways available. Some people have gained practical experience through coding bootcamps or self-taught programming courses, while others have honed their skills by working on personal projects. By building a strong portfolio of work and continuously developing your skills, you can break into the exciting world of software engineering and achieve a fulfilling and rewarding career without a traditional college degree in computer science.
Community is where it all starts
Our community is designed to be a supportive and collaborative space where you can learn, connect with others, and share your experiences. You'll find a range of content here, including:
Course materials, articles, videos, and discussions on coding
Program information and how to take your next steps
Support from community members and staff
Our hiring partners
Success stories
Jess Bonanno
Software Engineer, Slack
Makeda Davis
Software Engineer, Checkr
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Chris Schuhmacher
Software Engineer, Checkr
FAQs
Delve into our Apprentice FAQ section to discover valuable information about the Next Chapter Apprenticeship Program and learn how it can transform your future. Find answers to common questions and gain insights into the application process, program benefits, and the supportive community we foster.
Our program is specifically designed for people who are formerly incarcerated and justice involved individuals. Individuals who experienced incarceration in federal, state, county, and juvenile facilities fall under that umbrella, in addition to those who have been on probation. Our goal is to provide pathways for individuals whose felony history results in a barrier towards employment. If you have specific questions, please feel free to reach out to us.
After submitting your technical assessment and application, Next Chapter will communicate whether you are moving forward to internal interviews. From here, candidates will complete an interview with Next Chapter staff. Candidates will be selected based on technical assessment results, interview performance, and overall strength of application.
Applicants from all over the United States are encouraged to apply to Next Chapter. Next Chapter started as an in-person apprenticeship primarily based in the Bay Area. As COVID hit, we, along with the rest of the world, pivoted to remote opportunities. As quarantine restrictions loosen, some companies have started bringing people back into the workplace (although not necessarily restricted to Bay Area offices), while others are committed to fully remote work or even hybrid options. Keep in mind we work with over 15 different hiring partners and each company will have their own policy in place. Based on the policy at each company, your candidacy may be limited by your geographic location.
Yes, Hack Reactor is a 19 week full time program, and Flatiron is a 15 week full time program. Both coding bootcamps will be completed remotely.
No, if you are selected as a Next Chapter apprentice, we will provide a full scholarship to the coding bootcamp. You should never enter any payment info or sign any agreements with Hack Reactor or Flatiron - Next Chapter staff coordinates admissions.